Andre Burakovsky scored twice and goalie Braden Holtby produced his second shutout in a row as the Washington Capitals advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years, defeating the...

Sox ride strong start to Game 1 win

Red Sox catcher David Ross, left, and starting pitcher Jon Lester had a lot to celebrate as the Sox won Game 1 of the World Series at Fenway Park Wednesday night. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

The Red Sox broke out early in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night, scoring five runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Boston leads the series, 1-0.

Boston scored three runs in the first on a bases-clearing double by Mike Napoli. The key play of the inning was a dropped double play grounder by Cardinals infielder Pete Kozma. Second base umpire Dana DeMuth initially ruled Dustin Pedroia out at second, but the umpires gathered and overruled the decision, loading the bases with one out.

Boston took advantage of poor Cardinal fielding to score two in the second. Kozma booted a ball, loading the bases. Pedroia drove home a run with a single and David Ortiz drove one in with a sacrifice fly that was nearly a grand slam, save for a tremendous catch at the right-field bullpen wall by Carlos Beltran.St. Louis' tough night continued when Beltran left the game with a hip contusion after making the catch.

On the mound, Jon Lester was sterling, going 7 2/3 shutout innings for the win. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight.

John Lackey takes the ball tonight in Game 2 for Boston. St. Louis counters with rookie Michael Wacha.

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